Puzzle.



S. CRAVEN.

PUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. 1915.

1L,]L90,65. Patented July 11, 1916.

Witwwow a rnr Mhlhlfih.

SAMUEL CRAVEN, OF OSSINING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JOHN JASPER,

' 0F OSSINING, NEW YORK.

PUZZLE.

Application filed December 10, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL CRAVEN, a

citizen of the United States, residing attion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention belongs to the art of games and toys and the like and particularly relates to an improved puzzle to be entitled Fox-chase, and an object of the invention is to provide a triangular shaped box, divided into upper and lower compartments by a partition, which terminates short of one of the corners of the box, there being an inclined strip, trough or pedal leading from where the partition terminates to the bottom of the box, the object being to cause each one of the three balls or spherical mem bers (which are designed to represent the fox, the dog and the man) to roll up the inclined trough, chute'or strip, and arrange them in the center of the upper face of the partition (which is formed with ridges forming passages triangular in contour), without the ball passing through the Open ings in said passage, which openings represent holes where the fox runs to cover.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitate alterations, falling within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure l is a View in perspective of the improved puzzle constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the puzzle, showing the transparent cover broken away. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the partition 2 removed from the box. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the smaller end of the partition 2, showing the upstanding fianges 6.

Referring more especially to the drawings, 1 designates a box, which is preferably triangular in plan view. A partition 2 is arranged in the box and secured in any suitable manner, so as to divide the box into Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, T916.

Serial No. 66,102.

upper and lower compartments 3 and t. This partition terminates considerably short of one corner of the box, as shown at 5, and where the partition 2 terminates, it is constructed with an upstanding flange 6. This flange is formed with a notch or recess 7 and extending from the recess or notch 7 downwardly to the bottom of the box and toward one corner of the box is a trough shaped strip, pedal or chute 8. This strip or chute from its forward free end 9 toward its pivot is curved or channeled transversely, so that the balls will easily travel upwardly upon the chute. The chute consists of a sin gle strip of sheet metal, substantially midway the ends of which it is curved upon itself to form a sleeve 8 after which the metal or strip beyond the sleeve is bent upon itself and extended rearwardly, to form or provide a counterpoise or balance arm 8". The pivot pin 8 extends through the sleeve 8 in order to pivot the chute or strip in position, and which pivot pin 8 or chute will be easily raised, to allow the balls to pass under the same. It is to be noted that the counterpoise or balance arm 8 assists materially in causing the chute or strip 8 to easily rise at its forward end. However, the lower end of the strip or chute terminates sufliciently short of one corner of the box or casing of the puzzle, to permit all of the balls 10 to pass under the lower end of the strip, chute or trough, so that each of the balls may roll up the inclined strip.

The metal plate 11 covers the compartment 12 where the strip 8 is located, so as to practically obscure the strip from view, to prevent the person from seeing at what angle the strip 8 is disposed, when the end of the box opposite the strip is lowered to cause the balls to roll up the strip. A glass or other suitable transparent cover 13 corresponding in shape to the box is secured in place by means of a suitable cloth binding 14, which overlaps the edges of the glass cover and the sides of the box. The partition .2 is formed with a plurality of ridges 15, 16, and 17, which are arranged providedthe ball does not fall or drop through any one of the openings 25, 26 and in operating the puzzle, the object is to bung each of the balls up the inchned chute or strip 8, and Work the ball through each i V of the passages, until all the balls are arranged in the center space 21.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful 1s:-

a 1. A puzzle apparatus comprisinga box triangular in contour and having a partition dividing the box into upper and'lower compartments, said partition terminating considerably short ofone corner'of the box and-provided upon its upper surface with substantially triangular shaped passages and having a substantially triangular central space, said passages having communications at diflerent locations, said partition having apertures, which are formed in the pasr j'sages, a plurality of balls adapted to pass space, and means to permit saidb alls to from the lower compartment to they upper compartment, Without passing through said apertures and arranged in the central a plurality of balls adapted to pass from the lower compartment to the upper compartment, wlthout passing through said apertures and arranged in the central space,

and means to permit said balls to pass from the lower compartment to the upper compartment, said means comprising a pivoted trough-shaped strip pivoted to where the partition terminates and inclined downwardly, said partition where it terminates having an upstanding flange provided with a notch or recess adjacent the upper part of the trough-shaped strip to permit each of the balls to enter upon the upper face of the partition. 7

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL CRAVEN.

Witnesses:

JOHN JASPER, 'JoHN J. MOLLOY.

(lopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

" Washington, D. C. 

